The final results of a study on the Maple Ridge Wind Farm's impact on wildlife will be released this Friday. Initial reports show the turbines on the Tug Hill Plateau are killing hundreds of birds and bats.
A consultants' report for PPM Energy and Horizon Energy identified 123 birds, mostly night migrants, and 326 bats found dead over the course of five months beneath 50 wind turbines on the plateau.
"With any tall construction, there has always been a collision impact with birds and bats, but it is still important to study it further," said biologist Aaftab Jain.
About two-thirds of the dead birds found from July through November were songbirds, and 82 percent were night migrants, the report said.
Almost one-third of the windmills have flashing red aviation warning beacons.
The study, prepared by consultants Curry & Kerlinger, said there was no clear evidence the lights attracted birds and bats.
The report said the turbines are less deadly to wildlife than taller communications towers, and flashing beacons are less attractive than steady burning lights.
Scientists said bats are colliding with turbines for reasons nobody can explain.
"There may be some bat deterrent devices that could help here. We're certainly looking into the possibility of testing some of those devices," said Patrick Doyle of Horizon Energy.
The ongoing study at the largest wind farm in New York state is required to assess its environmental impact. The initial results were distributed to state and federal wildlife and energy officials.
The Adirondack Council repeated concerns that wind farms have been proposed in a virtual ring around the 6 million-acre Adirondack Park. The group says the threat to migratory birds needs to be better studied before towers are built.
A National Research Council panel reported to Congress this month that wind farms could generate up to 7 percent of U.S. electricity in 15 years.
But it said too little is yet known about the risk to birds and bats.
At Maple Ridge, the wind turbines have 262-foot towers, three 134-foot blades that turn between 12 and 20 rpm (more than 130 mph at their tips), and a generator in the base, according to the company.
They have a maximum height of 400 feet, are painted white and each can produce up to 1.65 megawatts of electricity. On an annual basis, they operate at about 30 percent of capacity.
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